#0409  –  Leadership at the Highest Level: Inside Camp David with Michael Giorgione

#0409 – Leadership at the Highest Level: Inside Camp David with Michael Giorgione

Author: Jon S. Rennie December 27, 2025 Duration: 36:33
What does leadership look like at the absolute highest level? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I’m joined by Michael Giorgione, a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral who served as the Commander of Camp David, the secluded presidential retreat where some of the most important leadership decisions in history have taken place. Michael takes us inside Camp David and shares what it’s really like to serve presidents up close. We talk about leadership under pressure, trust, humility, and what happens behind closed doors when world leaders step away from the spotlight. From hosting presidents and their families to supporting high-stakes diplomatic summits, Michael offers rare insights into how leaders think, build relationships, and rely on their teams when the stakes couldn’t be higher. This conversation isn’t about politics. It’s about leadership, responsibility, and what it means to lead people well when there’s no room for failure. If you’re interested in leadership, history, or how trust and character shape decision-making at the top, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: What Camp David is really like behind the scenes Leadership lessons learned from serving two U.S. presidents Why trust and humility matter more than authority How great leaders build relationships before a crisis hits What leaders at every level can learn from Camp David 📘 Learn more about Michael’s book Inside Camp David 🌐 Visit his website for leadership speaking and coaching https://www.insidecampdavid.com/ 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations on leadership that actually matters If you found value in this episode, please like, subscribe, and share. It helps us continue building a world with better leaders. Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cadre of Men⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Farrow Skin Care⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salty Sailor Coffee Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leader Connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Qualified Leadership Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone who’s ever felt that leadership advice can be too theoretical or disconnected from reality, Deep Leadership offers a grounded alternative. Host Jon S. Rennie operates from a simple, powerful belief: “Leadership is a People Business.” This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s about the tangible, often messy work of guiding teams and organizations. Jon brings a unique perspective shaped by his time as a Cold War Submarine Officer and over two decades leading within Corporate America before founding his own manufacturing company. In each episode, he translates that extensive experience into practical, actionable insights you can apply immediately. The conversations here delve into the core of what makes leadership work-or fail-across business, culture, and society. You’ll hear from Jon and a variety of expert guests as they explore the philosophical and practical dimensions of guiding people, discussing everything from daily management challenges to broader cultural forces that shape how we work. This podcast is built on the conviction that leadership matters profoundly, and that getting it right requires depth, reflection, and a relentless focus on the human element. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that cut through the noise and get to the heart of leading well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 424

Deep Leadership
Podcast Episodes
#0422  –  Crisis Is Coming. Are You Ready? With Stephanie Craig [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:25
Crisis Is Coming. Are You Ready? Every leader will face a crisis. The question is whether you’ll be prepared—or caught off guard. In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with Stephanie Craig, President of Kith, to…
#0421  –  Stop Fixing Problems - Do This Instead with George Pesansky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
Stop Fixing Problems! Most leaders are trained to hunt problems, fix issues, and eliminate failure. But what if that mindset is actually limiting performance? In this episode, Jon sits down with George Pesansky, author o…